Social Work Spotlight – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode I speak with Harveen, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked as a mental health clinician in both public and private hospital settings with a passion for supporting individuals and groups across a range of mental health journeys and trajectories.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• NEAMI National - https://www.neaminational.org.au/

• St John of God Health Care - https://www.sjog.org.au/about-us

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zh0ug2rkebscBOWPMt5iAuhWp_mqWQQPX0ZSdeQ1-gw/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Yaleela, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist and private practice owner in Queensland. She is deeply passionate about Social Work practice because she understands the significant impact of social, economic, and political factors on the health and well-being of our children, families, and communities. Yaleela is dedicated to the profession and actively participates in the Australian Association of Social Workers and the Play Therapy Practitioners Association, as well as building capacity for other First Nations allied health practitioners.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Yaleela’s business - http://yaleelatorrenssocialwork.com.au/

• Bindi Bennett’s publications - https://www.bindibennett.com/copy-of-resources

• Dr Bruce Perry - https://www.bdperry.com/

• Dr Dan Siegel - https://drdansiegel.com/

• Mental Health Academy - https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/

• Mindsight Institute - https://mindsightinstitute.com/

• Lisa Sion - https://lisa-dion.com/

• Stan Grant’s IQ2 Debate speech - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEOssW1rw0I&ab_channel=TheEthicsCentre

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pRIC3EYIRcMq5TBhPjhAsLwXnqPTWmZmqMCUeriboGE/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Stef, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who works in private practice at Clarity Therapy in Gymea, Sydney. He has a background in child protection and Out of Home Care, and utilises an integrated therapeutic approach, drawing on evidence based modalities as well as social work theory, aiming for a holistic approach to improving mental health.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• The Ankali Project - https://thealbioncentre.org.au/ankali-project/

• Barnardos Australia - https://www.barnardos.org.au/

• Clarity Therapy - https://claritytherapy.com.au/

• Building Your Ideal Private Practice by Lynn Grodzki - https://www.wiley.com/en-au/Building+Your+Ideal+Private+Practice+A+Guide+for+Therapists+and+Other+Healing+Professionals-p-9780393709483

• PESI continuing education - www.pesi.com.au

• Ashton Hayes’ podcast Becoming an AMHSW - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/becoming-an-amhsw-the-podcast/id1642275191

• Interview with Brené Brown and Esther Perel on New AI (Artificial Intimacy) - https://brenebrown.com/podcast/new-ai-artificial-intimacy/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S3KYUnQrF4r4wr7DOw1CnCPY7njgtEbdBSKoSxvm5z4/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, James and I discuss his work in the Aged Care team at St George Hospital, involving discharge planning, support coordination and bereavement counselling. James has also worked within the Social Programs team at the City of Sydney, supporting the development, implementation and evaluation of various social inclusion and community development programs. With a strong passion for empowering others, James constantly strives to facilitate opportunities for capacity building and professional development in supporting vulnerable communities.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

· James’ LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-bajjada-32a315189/

· What's On (City of Sydney Events Board) - https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hzqxS5VB8ORs1SgrqtJ5LTZjiHkR4LFH/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, Michelle and I discuss her extensive experience in the adult and youth homelessness services, family and domestic violence services, asylum seeker service and NSW Health. Michelle has provided care coordination and counselling with people experiencing substance use disorders, mental health, physical health and trauma histories. She uses a trauma-informed framework, strengths-based approach and anti-oppressive practice principles when working with clients.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

· Blue Knot - an organisation that provides supports individuals, provides training and guidelines for professionals working with people with complex trauma - https://www.blueknot.org.au/

· Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan for people with emotional dysregulation - https://behavioraltech.org/

· Motivational Interviewing as developed by clinical psychologists Miller and Rollnick to elicit change with clients in counselling - https://motivationalinterviewing.org/understanding-motivational-interviewing

· Strengths-Based Practice  - https://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/insights/strengths-based-approaches-working-individuals

· Yfoundations, NSW Peak Body representing young people at risk and experiencing homelessness - http://yfoundations.org.au/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HrpfeQW9xhff1ValbDVj9JpbopY-0Nwe/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, Maegan and I discuss her work as a perinatal social worker providing services to pregnant women receiving care through a general obstetrics clinic and a hospital Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service. Maegan enrolled in a PhD at UWA in 2020 where she will use qualitative methods to conceptualise the phenomenon of hospital-based infant removals by child protection grounded in the perspectives of the practitioners involved. She has a strong interest in research which focuses on interdisciplinary knowing and practice that can be applied to improving outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised consumers of maternity health services.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

* The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme – http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=pats

* Ronald McDonald House Charities - https://www.rmhc.org.au/

* Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees - https://www.carad.org.au/

* Cancer Council WA palliative care information - https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/coping-with-cancer/advanced-cancer/palliative-care/

* The Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne - https://www.thewomens.org.au/patients-visitors/covid-19-advice-and-updates/covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-women

* AASW Health-Based Social Work - https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/8306

* Australian Department of Health, Family and Domestic Violence in Pregnancy - https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-e-social-and-emotional-screening/family-violence

* Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety - https://www.anrows.org.au/

* USA National Association of Perinatal Social Workers - https://www.napsw.org/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xMpM1j0pgm7Eg-3EsXn02U-UqFaA-qxX/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, Adele and I discuss her passion for supporting people affected by domestic and family violence, and her mentoring and leadership roles in health and community settings. Of particular interest to Adele is the intersection of mental health with violence and trauma, and holding a safe therapeutic space for women. Adele is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Manager of a Domestic & Family Violence Service, having also worked in the NGO sector as a specialist domestic violence counsellor, educator and trainer and service coordinator.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

· Michael White (Psychotherapist) -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_White_(psychotherapist)

· Judith Herman Trauma and Recovery - https://www.booktopia.com.au/trauma-and-recovery-judith-herman/book/9780465061716.html

· Jan Fook - https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/author/jan-fook

· They Never Asked Me Anything About That”: The Stories of Women who Experience Domestic Violence and Mental Health Concerns/Illness - https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/6535

· Cathy Humphreys - https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/153245-cathy-humphreys

· Cathy Humphreys (Mental Health and Domestic Violence: 'I Call it Symptoms of Abuse') - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249285138_Mental_Health_and_Domestic_Violence_'I_Call_it_Symptoms_of_Abuse'

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19dtem7x_HJYdoITJxMUswBl8Y10jsHiU/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, Kate and I talk about the appeal of social work to her for its social justice and advocacy principles, and her broad interests ranging from gender studies and feminism, the intersection of culture and mental health, narrative therapy, and suicide prevention. Kate plans on becoming an accredited mental health social worker in the future as well as dipping her toe into social policy and research.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

· Mental Health Tribunal for Community Treatment orders (CTO) - https://mhrt.nsw.gov.au/the-tribunal/

· NSW 2007 Mental Health Act - https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2007-008

· AASW information regarding Accredited Mental Health social work - https://www.aasw.asn.au/information-for-the-community/mental-health-social-workers

· Reading about challenging the medical model/DSM - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmK0rza1RQlvuhZXSyiqiGgZloqmHBbp/view?usp=sharing

· Article about the importance of Aboriginal worldviews in mental health practice, consideration of cultural connection and connection to land for Aboriginal people's mental health and wellbeing - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i26uvlkSHSMKKCG9xlw90N8eK2Gf4Fcp/view?usp=sharing

· Sydney Social Work Community - https://www.sydneyswc.com/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F0nYuY8PuPCZfjW8k2Xsj0hIfM2_nTK0/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, Renee and I discuss her role as a consultant and Therapeutic Life Story Work Practitioner. She has extensive casework specialist experience including with child protection and out of home care, and in executive roles for the Department of Family and Community Services. Renee is particularly passionate about working collaboratively and developing positive relationships with agencies and families to complete assessments of children in out of home care, and ways to support them in unpacking and responding to trauma.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

· Richard Rose: Child Trauma Intervention Services - https://www.childtraumaintervention.com/about-ctis/richard-rose/

· Kevin Campbell: family finding - http://www.familyfinding.org/

· NSW Department of Communities & Justice: out of home care - https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/out-of-home-care/about-out-of-home-care/care-types

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12nAItCtkj7bhY1z3552k-9XghR2URGfL/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode, Sarah and I discuss her interest in grief and emotional health, helping people to feel safe and supported when faced with life’s challenges. She has published widely on the topic of hope and ambiguous loss for families of missing people and has taught in the disability space, with a research interest in missing persons, mental health and disability. In addition to her research and academic roles, Sarah offers professional supervision, training and coaching. Sarah has worked as a trauma counsellor and manager of state-wide counselling services, and received her PhD, along with the Chancellors Medal, in 2015 from the University of New England.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

· Sarah’s survey looking at the experiences of missing people who have returned - https://sydneyhealthsciences.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Cdb1IASn1NWPGd

· Didi Hirsch mental health services - https://didihirsch.org/

· ECLIPSE support group for suicide attempt survivors - https://www.lifelinemacarthur.org.au/suicide-prevention

· Sarah’s speaker’s reel (links to videos) - http://sarahwayland.com.au/speakers-reel-sarah-wayland/

· Winston Churchill Trust - https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/

· Sarah’s ResearchGate page with links to research and resources - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah_Wayland2

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R5ceAPfFIBiSBXZF5yWYVDxFRy9Kixyo/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.